Category: Willie Sugarcapps

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Freaked Out for Another Day Mix

I have a major announcement…. truth is that even if I did have a major announcement, I would probably wait until tomorrow to make it… Truth is, though, as the weather is heating up so is the music scene here in Nashville (and probably in your city, too).  Tons of great shows are coming, so get out to your local venues and festivals and whatnot and support real music made by real people.

“Maggie May” by Rod Stewart

From Every Picture Tells a Story… a song that begins with the words “Wake up” is a good enough way to start a morning shuffle. I have always loved this song.

“Easier” by SOJA (feat. Anuhea)

SOJA are a Pop/Reggae band from Arlington, VA.  Anuhea is a Pop/Reggae artist from Hawaii.  This song is on SOJA’s  most recent album Amid the Noise and Haste, and I grabbed it off an ATO Records sampler on Noisetrade.

“Hurricane” by Amy Speace

Nashville is proud to claim Amy Speace.  She has been getting quite a bit of well-deserved praise for her brand new release That Kind of Girl.  This song is from her 2014 EP Same Old Storm and has the sound of a song that has been around forever… absolutely stunning.

“A Love Supreme” by David Liebman

From the album David Liebman Plays Coltrane and Shorter… This Coltrane composition is one of my all time favorite jazz pieces.  A perfect soundtrack for a morning driving through the burgeoning city.

“Willie Sugarcapps” by Willie Sugarcapps

The first of what should be many songs from artists I saw at the Safety Harbor Song Fest… the title track and band theme song… Willie Sugarcapps were a crowd-pleaser at the festival and won over several new fans based upon conversations I had.

“Daily Mail” by the transcendents

From New Zealand where it is no longer April Fools Day (if they even have April Fools Day in New Zealand) and from the band’s self-titled debut… I am really digging this band and I hope you will check them out. Here is the link to download their music on Bandcamp.

“No Fun” by The Stooges

The Stooges probably didn’t know that they were making proto-punk music when they recorded this album 46 years ago this month.  The raw power and dangerous energy makes this album sound fresh up to this day. 

“Ode” by Soul Asylum

I think I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating this album, the bands 1988 major label debut is one of my favorites and probably my favorite by Soul Asylum.  To me, this album was the perfect balance between punk and hooky pop music.  The current line-up of Soul Asylum recently announced a tour with Meat Puppets – perhaps suggested by my recent inclusion of both bands in my morning shuffles????  Can you prove that that isn’t true?  Don’t answer that….

VIDEO PLAYLIST

!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”); window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js

E2TG at Americanarama VI 9/21/2013

Grimey’s know how to through a party.  Their annual Record Store Day event is always awesome, and Saturday wasthe sixth installment of the original Americanarama – a free day of music in the middle of the Americana Music Association Conference.

Grimey’s which began in a small shop in the Berry Hill section of Nashville and blossomed into one of the best and most respected record stores in the world. They are a magnet for musicians and music lovers.  Metallica recorded a secret show at The Basement located below the shop but named the ensuing record “Live at Grimey’s”.  Just about every cool band that comes through town, does an in-store at Grimey’s.  In addition, they are champions of many of the great up and coming bands.

Believe it or not, this was the first year that I was able to make it out for Americanarama, and I think I picked a good year.

The day began with The Reneaus who are either from Bowling Green, Kentucky or Nashville depending on who you ask.  Regardless, I was not familiar with The Reneaus for this performance, but I now consider myself a fan. 

Steelism were next, and although I was already familiar with them, this was the first chance I had to see them live. Steelism is the brain-child of Spencer Cullen Jr. and Jeremy Fetzer (Caitlin Rose).  They have an amazingly original sound. Fronted by a Pedal Steel Guitar and featuring two drummers… favorite quote of the day, “I’m still hung over and the stage is leaning…”



Next up were The Dexateens. I’ve liked their music for a long time, but seeing them perform live was revelatory. I now count myself as a huge Dexateens fan. This was one of the most fun and energetic shows I’ve seen in a fair bit of time. The band’s extensive and entertaining bio on Facebook mentions that they began as a punk band, and this spirit shows through.



After The Dexateens set, I decided to go inside to Howlin’ Books and Grimey’s, Too, and then I grabbed some lunch from Mas Tacos. Somehow,  I made it back in time to introduce myself to a couple of The Dexateens and then to see Daughter play their set.  I had ever heard of Daughter, but they have almost 300,000 likes on Facebook. They are from the UK.  They played a stripped down set due to their regular instruments already being at the Exit/In where they were playing that night. They had a awesome atmospheric, moody sound which I really liked.  Quite a transition from The Dexateens, but it was good.  After their set, they were surrounded by hordes of young people (and by young people, I mean people younger than me which was I guess about half the crowd – give or take a few dozen).



Next up was T. Hardy Morris who is in the band Dead Confederate. We’ve played a few songs from his solo album Audition Tape, so it was good to see him live. I enjoyed the music, and I’m not sure if it’s a persona or a personality but there was a bit of aloofness which I found a bit off-putting. Maybe especially after the complete openness of The Dexateens. But, I do know it’s dangerous to compare bands, and like I said, the music was great.



Next up was The Autumn Defense featuring John Stirratt and Pat Sansone of Wilco. This was just some amazingly glorious music. Some delicious melodies and classic sounding vocals.  Just brilliant. The inclusion of The Troggs classic Love is All Around Me underscored the classic sound that this band has captured.



Next up was one of most anticipated sets of the day.  British Folk/Punk legend Billy Bragg took the small, slightly sloped stage and for about thirty minutes spoke truth and held court. After playing a few songs from his latest album including a Woody Guthrie cover which he introduced by referencing the brilliant Mermaid Avenue albums and acknowledging the presence of John Stirratt who along with the rest of Wilco played on those records, Bragg acknowledged that it was the 30th Anniversary of the release of his first album, Life’s a Riot With Spy Vs. Spy.  He said since the album was only 17 minutes long it was not worth renting out the Ryman or hiring symphony and that he could play the whole album as an encore and that he actually had enough time left to play it, and thus he launched into a blistering song by song cover of that masterpiece.  There was a palpable energy running through the crowd.   



After Billy Bragg headed inside to sign autographs and meet and greet, the ones of us who remained heard a couple of songs from the soon to be released High Cotton: A Tribute to Alabama. T. Hardy Morris came back from a ragged yet somehow brilliant version of the title track, and then the always amazing Amanda Shires (joined by Rod Piccott) performed her contribution to the record as well as one song from her new album.  To be honest, I expected more from this set, but hey, I got a free t-shirt and seeing Amanda Shires perform is always a plus.



As the sun began to descend, the crowd thinned a bit, which is a shame because those who left, missed out on the final set of the day. Willie Sugarcapps is the new project (supergroup really) featuring Will Kimbrough, Greyson Capps, Sugarcane Jane, and Corky Hughes. They play a break amalgam of traditional music from the South. Folk, Blues, Country,  what have you, and they have a whole lot of fun doing it.  I’ve been a Will Kimbrough fan since his days leading the Bushmen, and I thoroughly  enjoyed this set.  Their new album is out now. Check it.

 

It was truly a great day of great music. Special thanks to all the staff of Grimey’s for putting this thing on. And a shout out to Sandy – a long time Billy Bragg fan for buying me a beer.

Stay tuned for a quick run down of our normal shuffle in a bit…

I created a You Tube Playlist to commemorate the day…




–>